Dear Members of the Summerton Whisky Club, It is a pleasure to share with you a special selection from Goa, on the western coast of India – the home of Paul John Indian Single Malts. The distillery was founded on a simple belief: that India, with its long agricultural history and diverse climates, could produce a whisky of character and global standing. While whisky traditions have long been associated with cooler climates, our journey began by embracing a very different environment – one defined by warmth, humidity, and proximity to the Arabian Sea. This whisky, the Paul John Classic Select Cask, is drawn from a select lot of single casks, vatted and bottled at its natural strength of 55.2% ABV, only twice a year. It is shaped by the use of Indian six-row barley, which contributes a distinctive viscosity and depth, and by maturation in ex-bourbon casks. What defines this whisky most, however, is its ageing environment. In Goa, temperatures routinely range between 24°C and 34°C, with high humidity throughout the year. This accelerates the interaction between spirit and oak. A whisky that might take a decade to evolve in a cooler climate develops far more rapidly here, not as a shortcut, but as a different expression of time itself.

This tropical maturation brings forward notes of vanilla and gentle spice from the oak, layered with tropical fruits such as pineapple and citrus. In some casks, particularly those maturing closer to the coast, a subtle saline character emerges – a quiet reflection of place. To work with this climate requires careful stewardship. We monitor casks closely, allowing each to evolve at its own pace, rather than adhering to fixed timelines. The higher evaporation – often referred to as the Angel’s Share – is a cost of this environment, but also part of what concentrates the whisky’s character. Alongside this release, you will find a 5cl miniature of a past Paul John Christmas Edition. These annual releases are small explorations in cask influence and blending, and we hope this offers a glimpse into another dimension of the Master Blender Michael D’Souza’s work. We hope this whisky offers not just a tasting experience, but a sense of where it comes from – a place where climate, raw material, and time come together in a distinctly Indian expression of single malt.

Heemanshu Ashar
Global Brand Ambassador Paul John Indian Single Malts